Smart Powers Up With Brabus Fortwo, Forfour

BEIJING – Mercedes-Benz’s Smart brand has crowned its third-generation Fortwo and second-generation Forfour ranges with a trio of powered-up Brabus performance models.

Unveiled at the Beijing auto show, the Smart Brabus Fortwo coupe and cabriolet and Brabus Forfour extend a cooperation between the Mercedes city-car brand and renowned German tuning company established back in 2004.

Distinguishing the new Brabus models from their standard siblings are a series of subtle exterior styling upgrades, including a beefed-up front bumper with an extended spoiler, a rear bumper featuring a matte gray diffuser element and chrome tailpipes and standard Brabus alloy wheels.

Power for Smart’s new Brabus models comes from a newly developed version of the Mercedes 0.9L turbocharged 3-cyl. featuring a revised air manifold, increased fuel pressure and a Brabus exhaust system with reduced back pressure.

With 107 hp at 5,750 rpm and 125 lb.-ft. (169 Nm) of torque at 2,000 rpm, it kicks out 19 hp and 26 lb.-ft. (32 Nm) more than the standard version of the compact engine used in lesser versions of the latest Fortwo coupe, Fortwo cabriolet and Forfour.

Previous Smart Brabus models used a turbocharged 1.0L 3-cyl. developing 100 hp and 108 lb.-ft. (146 Nm) of torque.

Further changes are centered on the new Brabus models’ standard 6-speed dual-clutch Twinamic gearbox. It receives shorter ratios, a new race-start function and is claimed to offer 40% faster response times through the adoption of revised software.

Smart quotes 0-62 mph (100 km/h) acceleration of 9.5 seconds and a limited 103-mph (166-km/h) top speed for both the 2-seat Brabus Fortwo coupe and cabriolet. The Brabus Forfour clocks in at 10.5 seconds 0-62 mph and has a top speed of 112 mph (180 km/h).

Along with the increased performance, the new range-topping Smart models also receive a number of chassis upgrades. Included is a revised speed-sensitive steering system with what Brabus describes as increased return torque for improved self-centering properties.

The Brabus Fortwo coupe and cabriolet receive new 16-in. front and 17-in. alloy wheels, while the Forfour adopts new 17-in. alloys all around.